Do Mini Dental Implants Require Bone Grafting?

In this video, Dr. Aaron Bratton explains the role of bone grafting in mini-dental implant placement. He discusses how grafting supports bone retention, improves healing, and enhances long-term implant success. Schedule a free consultation at Atkins Dental Clinic today for high-quality general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry services.

The use of mini dental implants and bone grafting depends on individual circumstances. If a mini-implant is placed immediately after a tooth extraction, a bone graft is typically used to fill the gaps around the implant. This helps promote faster healing and improves the predictability of the outcome.

In most cases, my preferred approach is to graft the area before implant placement, allowing the bone to heal and create a strong foundation before proceeding with the implant. The body follows a natural “use it or lose it” mechanism when it comes to bone retention. When a tooth is extracted, the socket left behind does not simply fill in with new bone. Instead, the edges of the socket gradually collapse inward, resulting in bone loss and an uneven ridge.

Since soft tissue follows the shape of the underlying bone, this process can affect the symmetry and aesthetics of the smile, especially in the front of the mouth. To prevent this, we perform a bone graft at the time of extraction. This provides the body with the necessary material to rebuild the area properly, ensuring a more stable and aesthetically pleasing outcome when the implant is placed.

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